Bumper Sticker

This time I want you to explain to them (the general public) a principle you've learned in this course:  People in general are not all that aware of how a single slogan or symbol (an ideonode) can actuate [excite, bring to life, animate] an entire belief system (an ideoplex). Take a bumper sticker slogan, and explain the whole ideology that springs up when someone reads just that single phrase.  Here are some bumper stickers to get you thinking, but hopefully you'll find one yourself: "Burn Fat, Not Oil," "Protect Our Borders," "I make milk. What's your superpower?" "NRA: Stand And Fight." (Stay away from real inflammatory bumper stickers for this assignment:  You only have three paragraphs.)

This bumper sticker is very simple, consisting of just one word ("Adopt"), but the paw print makes it into a symbol that relates to a much larger set of ideas surrounding animal ethics. The paw print brings to mind animals, particularly domestic pets like dogs or cats. Coupled with "adopt," the sticker as a whole calls to mind local human shelters and their humanitarian projects to rescue and give homes to pets.

This extends beyond simply adopting pets from humane shelters, however. Buying dogs from pet stores is usually not ethical according to animal activists, as the Some argue that buying from a breeder is not only expensive but encourages this growth of domestic pet population. As such, adopting from a shelter is the more ethical choice, which this sticker reflects.

The use of the paw print also brings about some pathos, much like those sad ASPCA commercials. Much of the population cares deeply about furry, playful creatures and would like to help them out if they can. This bumper sticker could serve as a call to action or a reminder of an option when considering getting a pet.